St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-11-01
COAST DEFENSES.
The Need of Protecting Our Ports
Again Earnestly Presented.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 31.-Gen. Duane.
chief of engineers, has made his annual
report to the secretary of war. Beyond
reference to the attached reports of Off
GERS in charge of improvements, the
subject of river and harbOr improve
ments receives little mention in the re-
port. which is largely devoted to a state
ment Of the condition of sea coast and
lake front defenSeS. On this topic Gen.
Duane says that many of the works are
dilapidated, and economy requires that
they should be kept from decay. The
estimates submitted aggregate 81, 22334-
900, including 8, $40, 900 for the cOnStruc-
ton of gun and mortar batteries and
81 $50. eco for submarine mines and ap-
plianceS for closing channels. In re-
port upon the subject of Notifications
made by the board of engineers, which
i included in Gen. Duane'S report. it is
said:
II must be evident that immediate action
S demanded to place our sea coast defenses
in proper condition TO resist the attacks of
an enemy From the difference of opinion
which exists among certain nOn-military eX-
Jerts as to the character of aTInOr to be used
in land defenses. the impression has been
created that this matter IS i'll an unsettled
and tentative condition. and that the policy
of inaction now existing should still con-
timue But the facts viii not warrant this
conclusion. as more than nine-tenths Of the
armament recommended for our sea coasts is
NOT 10 be mounted behind iron projections.
but in the rear of eaTtnen covers suTmounting
and shielding the masonry, magazines. bomb
proofs and storerooms. Particularly Is this
true of the Tified moTtars, which must here
after piaV an important part in the defense
of our channels ana faIr-weyS, and there Is
no reason why the erection of the batteries
required for them should be delayed single
mOnth-in a word, proper sums may be jul
tiiciOuSly expended and much progress to-
ward placing our coasts in a defensive cOndi-
ton may be made-indeed. must be made
before the question OF armOr demands con-
EideratiOn.
In accordance with the instructions of
the secretary of war the board has also
SUBMITTED PRELIMINARY PLANS
for the defense of the more important
seab0ardsharborS. Two typical designs
prepared by the board, which are said
TO meet all modern requirements. are for
Notifications constructed of sand. COW
ering the masonry and bomb proofs.
The report says that no armOr is now or
ever will be required for such defenSeS.
1t is believed that disappearing car
riageS can be constructed which will
carry twelve-inch fifty-tOn rified guns.
and an appropriation is suggested Suffi-
Cient 10 place few of these guns and
carriages at each of the principal ports
The plan of defense by mortar and gun
batteries recommended by the board in
wolves an expenditure during the next
fiscal year of =, $40, 600, which it is pro-
posed to divide among the ports as fol-
lows: New York, S600,000; San Fran
cisco, $500, 600; Boston, S2SO, 600: Hamp-
ton Roads, $3.50, 600; New Orleans, S2l0.-
600: Philadelphia, $4,000; Washing
ton. $4,000: Baltimore, $4,000; Port
land. $29O,0OO Narragansett Bay, $780,
900.
The plan also contemplates the prep
aratiOn of easements. cable shafts, etc.
TO the number of twenty-siX. distributed
as follows: At New York. 5; at San
Francisco, 5; at Boston, 5; at Hampton,